19 August 2004 00:00 Central Networks’ Metering Services workers awarded gold for Olympic efforts

With the Olympics in full swing, Central Networks’ Metering Services have awarded three quick thinking meter readers their very own gold medals for their swift actions which helped rescue a trio of people who had fallen into danger.

Alan Collins (57), from Pershore, Brian Wakeman (60), from Halesowen, and Philip Burden (28), from Cannock, all helped save the day while visiting customers.

Alan took matters into his own hands when he spotted a motorist trapped by rising floodwaters near Broadway in Worecsterhsire.

He said: “The woman had tried to drive through the floodwater when her engine cut out. I tried to reach her but the water was too deep. I called the emergency services and managed to calm the woman down until the fire brigade arrived and managed to rescue her.”

Brian was praised after coming to the aid of an elderly woman who had fallen at her home in Dudley.

“I knocked on her door but there was no reply,” he said.

“My handheld computer showed that the person living in the house was over 60, so I stayed a little longer.

“Which is when I heard a cry for help and, when I looked through the letterbox, I saw an elderly lady who had fallen in the hallway. After reassuring her, I went to a neighbour and called an ambulance. “

More quick action came from Philip who, after knocking on a customer’s door in Rushall, was alarmed to find an elderly man who seemed disorientated.

Philip found another elderly person asleep in the front room and, after smelling gas, discovered the cooker was on but not lit.

Philip said: “I quickly turned off the gas and opened doors and windows and warned the householders and neighbours not to switch on lights. “

All three engineers have been praised for their professionalism and dealing with potentially dangerous and difficult situations calmly, with all three receiving a Metering Services Gold award.

Team co-ordinator Dave White said: “These three guys have all acted above and beyond the call of duty. They have potentially saved lives and thoroughly deserve their gold awards for such outstanding service. It’s true what they say - all good things come in threes.”

Ends

Notes to editors:
•Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.8 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables – enough to go round the Earth almost four times – and via almost 97,000 substations;
•Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For further information and pictures contact:

Rebecca Middleton on 024 7642 5779
Out of hours, call 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer